Ukraine cities quiet as Russia-backed ceasefire begins
Cities in Ukraine have been spared Russian drone and missile attacks as a 72-hour truce kicks in, but Kyiv says Moscow continues its assaults in the east.
International News
Crooks, culture first order of business for new top cop
A veteran cop who oversaw the police response to the Christchurch massacre has laid down his vision for combating crime as the head of an embattled state force.
Merz elected German chancellor after initial defeat
MPs have elected conservative leader Friedrich Merz as Germany's next chancellor in a second round of voting.
US to stop bombing Yemeni Houthis after deal: Trump
US President Donald Trump says Yemen's Houthi rebels have agreed to stop attacking ships in the Red Sea, and US bombing will also cease.
Cardinals join mass before conclave to pick new pope
Cardinals from around the world have gathered in the Vatican for their last major mass before locking themselves away to choose the head of the Catholic Church.
US could announce some trade deals ‘this week’
US President Donald Trump's administration is negotiating with 17 major trading partners on deals, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent says.
Strikes kill dozens in Gaza as new Israeli push nears
An air strike has hit a school sheltering displace Palestinians in the latest bloodshed in Gaza, as Israel prepares to intensify its campaign against Hamas.
‘Act of war’: India hits targets in Pakistani territory
Tensions between India and Pakistan are soaring after India struck "terrorist camps" in Pakistani Kashmir, in an attack that Islamabad brands an act of war.
Russia and Ukraine exchange 205 prisoners of war each
Ukraine and Russia have concluded one of the largest prisoner exchanges since Moscow invaded its neighbour in 2022.
US, China to hold ice-breaker trade talks in Geneva
Two top US officials will meet with China's top trade negotiator this weekend in the first major talks since President Donald Trump sparked a trade war.
Australia-Pacific ties enhanced by Labor’s election win
Improved relations with Solomon Islands and Vanuatu could be a goal of Labor's second term, with a huge step-up with Papua New Guinea already assured.
Japan, China trade airspace violation accusations
Japan and China have both lodged protests about airspace violations around the Japanese-controlled East China Sea islands, which Beijing also claims.
Police foil Lady Gaga concert beach bomb plot in Rio
Brazilian police have foiled a bomb plot targeting a Lady Gaga concert which saw more than two million fans flock to Rio de Janeiro's Copacabana Beach.
Albanese and UK PM Starmer discuss AUKUS submarine plan
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer will soon dispatch a top defence adviser to Australia to discuss the AUKUS submarine program.
Over 200 clashes with Russian forces in eastern Ukraine
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy is calling on Kyiv's allies to up the pressure on Moscow to achieve a ceasefire.
Israel approves plan to capture ‘all of Gaza’
Israeli officials say ministers have approved a plan to capture the entirety of the Gaza Strip and remain in the territory for an unspecified amount of time.
Romanian Eurosceptic Simion on course for election win
Eurosceptic George Simion appeared on course for victory in the first round of Romania's presidential election re-run.
Yemen’s Houthis say they are targeting Israeli airports
Yemen's Houthi rebels have warned they are targeting Israel's airports after one of their missiles penetrated air defence systems.
Who will be the new Pope? Even the cardinals don’t know
As the men who will decide the next Pope prepare to enter a conclave, some have been giving speeches that may sway the vote in their favour.
All cardinals have arrived in Rome for papal conclave
All cardinals who are eligible to elect the next head of the Catholic Church have arrived in Rome two days before the conclave begins.
West wants to provoke me to use nuclear weapons: Putin
Russian President Vladimir Putin says there is currently no need to use nuclear weapons and hopes it "will not be necessary in the future".
Netanyahu says new Gaza offensive will be intensive
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has spoken of a new offensive in the Gaza Strip but an official says the operation is on hold until next week.
US job growth slows marginally, unemployment steady
US employers have added a better-than-expected 177,000 jobs in April as the job market shows resilience.
Prince Harry loses UK legal bid over police protection
Prince Harry has lost an appeal challenging the UK government's decision to strip him of his publicly funded security after he stepped away from royal duties.
Prince Harry wants reconciliation, not speaking to King
Prince Harry has told the BBC he would love to be reconciled with his family but his father King Charles will not speak to him over a row over his security.
Ukraine minister repeats red lines in parliament speech
Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha has told parliament the government will not agree to recognise any temporarily occupied territories as Russian.
Israel says it intercepted missile launched from Yemen
Israel says sirens have been activated in a number of areas after a missile was reportedly launched by Yemen.
Vote closes in Singapore as government seeks bigger win
Singapore's new leader faces his first test of support in charge of the People's Action Party, which is expected to extend its decades-long dominance.
Russian drone attack wounds dozens in Ukraine’s Kharkiv
President Volodymyr Zelenskiy is urging stronger support from Ukraine's allies after Russia launched a drone strike on the country's second city.
Missile from Yemen’s Houthis lands near Israel airport
A missile launched from Yemen has landed near Israel's main airport, with eight people taken to hospital.
Singapore’s long-ruling party on track to win election
Preliminary vote counting shows the long-ruling People's Action Party has won another landslide in Singapore's general election.